I met Mamy on my travels through West Africa. She lives with her family and son Tito in South Senegal. Mamy likes to sit in front of the house to chat with her neighbors. She sells soft drinks and beer on her porch, if there are customers. That way she tries to pay for her son’s tuition fees. 13 years ago in her early 20s she traveled around the country and worked with tourists. But then suddenly her legs started to hurt so much in 2003, they both had to be amputated. Until today she doesn’t know which disease was responsible. It was right then when her struggle started. She got 2 very simple plastic prostheses. That way she can at least walk small distances but almost never without pain. It would be great to find doctors to help her situation. If you can help please get in touch. Mamy would love to travel again and feel free. Instead she is stuck at her parents’ house. Please follow this link: http://bit.ly/1T12xpC to help collect tuition fees for her son Tito.

I like people. I also like to cook for my parents a lot. It’s because of them that I exist and therefore I love them. When I see a sick person I want to do whatever necessary to help them. I don’t want to watch them suffering. That hurts my heart.

Sometimes I beat my son Tito because of something bad he did. I don’t want to do it but then it just happens. When I was a child my Dad never hit me. But my Mom always did. I always regret it afterwards. And the issue normally isn’t even seriously bad. When I hit him I ask him to come talk to me and say: ” Come. I am sorry. I don’t want to beat you. I love you so much. But sometimes you just don’t listen and then it happens.”

3. What would you like to improve? / Que ferais vous pour vous ameiliorer?

I want to stop beating Tito. Because beating won’t change his actions. You have to talk to a child and explain your point, maybe they will understand. But we just start beating because we think that will help. But actually it does the opposite.

If somebody hurts me with their behavior I keep it in my heart. Normally you talk to them to solve the issue but I can’t always manage to do that. That’s what I’d like to change as well. Talking instead of keeping my pain to myself.

At night I feel lonely. At my age I shouldn’t be alone. There should be someone at my side. If there is an event for example, everybody comes with their partners and friends. But I am a woman who doesn’t have those.

Sometimes I wake up and already I am annoyed. And sometimes I am happy right away. I sing, talk to people but then there are days where I don’t even tell my neighbors “Good morning.” They didn’t do anything but I am just like that.

Also sometimes from morning till evening I don’t even have 5 CFA (0,0076€). I just don’t have it. That makes me angry. You are hungry, you’d like to buy bread but you can’t. So you remain like that all day without eating.

After a couple days without having eaten fish and then suddenly the day comes when we can afford it- that makes me happy. Normally you should be happy all day long. Today I had many customers who bought drinks. I am happy. They bought my beer and I have a little bit of money to pay for my son’s tuition fees. If I manage to take care of my problems, I am happy.

The father of my child didn’t marry me. I will stay all my life without a husband. My life goal was to have children, all from the same father. I chose him, he failed me. And sometimes I regret I chose him.

I used to work with tourists. I was very lucky. I was in Dakar (capitol of Senegal) before my legs were amputated and I worked a lot. I had my own money. I was so lucky, also because I was a bit pretty. Now I am not anymore. For about 1 year I also worked in The Gambia. I would love to be more active and travel but I don’t have anybody here to help my Mom with the household. If I would have someone for the daily chores I would live my life. I don’t want to stay here all the time, doing nothing.

I had a little shop here at the market, before they amputated the first leg. They took me to the hospital and I had to close my shop. That’s the first incident that hurts me. Now I can’t do anything. Zero! I don’t like that. I fought so much and I kept walking. I really suffered. But everyday I thank God, because I am brave. I had to stay in the hospital for 1 year by myself, exhausted. How will I live my life? I don’t have anybody to help me with my child. The father doesn’t do anything. If I can’t work, how will I pay for Tito’s school? I fought and I still fight to manage all my affairs. I am brave. My Parents know I am brave.

If you have a job and your own money. You can do whatever you want with your money. You can buy what you want and have enough to eat. That’s what makes you happy. I sell beer and soft drinks at our house. If you want to work you’ll find a way. When I see another person handicapped like I am I tell God “Thank you.” Because I can walk, I can deal with my affairs. Live is hard. But I am happy because I can take care of myself somehow.